GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram will miss the season because of a torn knee ligament.

Florida coach Urban Meyer said today that Ingram, who nearly skipped his senior year to jump to the NFL after last season, will undergo surgery within the next week to repair a torn ACL in his left knee.

The fifth-year player has caught 64 passes for 888 yards and eight touchdowns in the past two years, including 34 catches for 508 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007.

This was expected to be Ingram's breakout season. He was going to be a more of a true tight end instead of lining up as an inside receiver and a featured target for Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.